This article focuses on Saiwa Swamp National Park entrance fees. Saiwa Swamp National Park is located near Kitale, in Trans-Nzoia County, Rift Valley Province, Kenya. It is the smallest national park in Kenya, only 3 km2, and was created as a habitat for the Sitatunga, a rare aquatic antelope. The park covers an area of about 3 square kilometres.
Saiwa Swamp National Park was established in 1974 to primarily protect the habitat of the endangered Sitatunga antelope. The park is home to a significant population of Sitatungas, semi-aquatic antelopes adapted to living in swamps and marshy areas. The park’s wetland ecosystem, consisting of papyrus swamps, reed beds, and forested areas, provides an ideal habitat for these unique antelopes.
In addition to the Sitatunga antelope, Saiwa Swamp National Park is home to other wildlife species, including monkeys, otters, genets, and various bird species. The park offers opportunities for birdwatching, nature walks, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can explore the park through its network of boardwalks and trails, which provide access to different parts of the swamp. Saiwa Swamp National Park is a peaceful and serene destination, offering a chance to experience the tranquility of nature. It is an important conservation area, working towards preserving the habitat and biodiversity of the Sitatunga antelope and other wildlife species in the region.
Saiwa Swamp National Park Activities
1. Game and Bird Watching
Within this tropical wetland, is the habitat of the rare and endangered semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelopes and the preserve for the rare De Brazza’s monkeys. Bird life is also abundant. Water birds include the lesser Jacana, the grey heroine bird, and the African black duck. The forest shelters the Noisy Ross’s toracos, which are exceedingly difficult to miss, the yellow bishop, and others. Reptiles and amphibians, including a side-striped chameleon, forest cobra, and the blue-headed tree agama lizard, are likely to cross your paths during the forest trail.
2. Camping
The park has a serviced campsite at the main gate, the Sitatunga public campsite, and the Saiwa events & picnic site. They offer facilities such as hot showers, electricity, barbeque, flush toilets, and sheds & shelters. The tree-top house, named for its location on a tree in the park, is owned by the KWS, it is a self-catering and accommodation-only lodge. It is a single unit with twin beds and an ensuite bathroom and holds a capacity of two. Cooking is done at the park headquarters and utensils are brought by the guests. Other campsites and accommodations in the area are the Sirikwa tented camp found at the main Kapenguria road, 6 km from the Saiwa swamp junction.
3. Board and Nature Walk
Taking a walk on the old but strong boards across the swamps is a thrilling experience. You get the chance to see sitatungas walking or hiding by the reeds. All around, there’s a site of trees with birds and monkeys moving around and sounds of the echoes of their noises. This walk through the swamp and the forest exposed you to a lot of trees and plant species and the fresh, cool air blowing through from the branches.
4. Tower Watch
The towers are built of timber and are strong enough to hold a sizable number of people. They’re used to make an overhead watch so that one gets the view of a huge area from a raised surface. The towers are two, and it is said that the view from both towers nearly sums up the whole park area because of the far-range view one sees. From the tower, you can be lucky to see the antelopes at a range or get birds flying at a close range.
Saiwa Swamp National Park Entry Fees
High Season (July–February)
| EAC Citizen/Resident (Ksh) | Charges |
| Adult | Ksh 300 |
| Child/Student | Ksh 250 |
| Rest of Africa (US$) | |
| Adult | USD 20 |
| Child/Student | USD 15 |
| International Visitors (US$) | |
| Adult | USD 25 |
| Child/Student | USD 15 |
Low Season (March–June)
| EAC Citizen/Resident (Ksh) | Charges |
| Adult | Ksh 250 |
| Child/Student | Ksh 200 |
| Rest of Africa (US$) | |
| Adult | USD 15 |
| Child/Student | USD 10 |
| International Visitors (US$) | |
| Adult | USD 20 |
| Child/Student | USD 15 |
Saiwa Swamp National Park Contacts
Phone: 0789312901
Email: saiwapark@kws.go.ke or saiwakws@gmail.com
